NBA: Jarrett Allen erupts for 40 as Cavaliers defeat Trail Blazers

Jarrett Allen scored a career-high 40 points, grabbed a season-best 17 rebounds, and added five assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 130-111 win over the host Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

Sam Merrill contributed 22 points, hitting six 3-pointers for the fifth time this season, while Jaylon Tyson went a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, finishing with 18 points and six assists. Donovan Mitchell added 14 points and nine assists, and Nae'Qwan Tomlin chipped in 12 points as Cleveland claimed its sixth victory in seven games.

For Portland, Caleb Love scored 21 points off the bench, and Shaedon Sharpe added 20 points. Sidy Cissoko and Jerami Grant each had 15 points, Toumani Camara scored 12, and reserve Robert Williams III posted 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Trail Blazers dropped their fifth consecutive game.

Portland played without Deni Avdija (back), a Western Conference All-Star reserve, who has missed six of the last 10 games. Cleveland also remained without Darius Garland (right toe sprain) and Evan Mobley (left calf strain).

The Cavaliers shot 54.9% from the field, with Allen converting 16 of 23 attempts. Cleveland also made 16 of 34 from 3-point range.

Cleveland built a 102-78 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Portland responded with an 18-4 run. Camara capped the surge with a 3-pointer, cutting the deficit to 106-96 with 7:35 remaining. Allen quickly answered with a dunk during a 7-0 Cleveland run, extending the lead to 17 points with 6:23 left. Portland got within 11 later, but Merrill and Tyson hit timely 3-pointers in an 8-2 stretch that pushed Cleveland ahead 123-106 with 3:15 to play and sealed the victory.

Portland finished 44.9% from the field and 14 of 44 from 3-point range. Allen dominated early, making 12 of 15 shots in the first half and recording 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Cavaliers led 57-48 at halftime.

Allen scored 16 points in the opening quarter to help Cleveland take a 29-24 lead. Mitchell’s 3-pointer and back-to-back baskets by Tomlin extended the lead to 40-29 with 8:06 remaining in the first half. Portland briefly closed the gap to 43-41 after a 12-3 run, but Cleveland finished the half strong.

In the third quarter, Mitchell ignited a 13-0 Cavaliers run with a 3-pointer, and Merrill added two 3-pointers, giving Cleveland an 81-59 lead with 6:01 left in the period. The Cavaliers led 98-78 heading into the final quarter.

—Field Level Media/Reuters